Many Coca-Cola lovers have long said that getting their favorite beverage at McDonald’s is better than getting it at the store or gas station. It simply tastes better and is more satisfying than bottled soda or even fountain Coke from another restaurant.
It may seem like our taste buds are just playing tricks, but McDonald’s has finally revealed information that seems to confirm why Coke may, in fact, taste better at McD’s.
The FAQ section of the McDonald’s website answers the simple question, “Why does the Coca-Cola taste so good at McDonald’s?”, thereby giving Coca-Cola-loving internet users the ability to say, “Told you so!”
“There are many reasons the Coca-Cola tastes so great at McDonald’s,” the company wrote on its website. “We simply follow the guidelines set by Coca-Cola and take steps to ensure that we serve a high-quality fountain beverage.”
But it’s not the same. It’s different, better — magical even. So much so the reasons why everyone loves McDonald’s Coke have passed into cultural legend, and many media outlets continue to discuss and disseminate information about it.
First up is the delivery. While most Coke syrup is delivered to restaurants in plastic bags, the syrup used at McDonald’s comes in stainless steel tanks. This helps preserve the freshness of the ingredients.
Next, McDonald’s pays close attention to the temperature of the soda. The chain always keeps the fountain beverage system cold. Plus, the water and Coca-Cola syrup are pre-chilled before entering the fountain dispensers “with the ratio of syrup set to allow for ice to melt.”
McDonald’s also has an insulated tube that runs from the refrigeration unit in the back of the restaurant to the soda fountain in the front.
The temperature of the water that runs through the tube, which is just above freezing, is necessary for the best CO2 levels. It also helps the carbonation last longer.
The fast-food chain invests a lot of money in its filtration systems. It writes, “In order to ensure our drinks are always meeting a gold standard, we filter all the water before it enters fountain dispensers.”
Lastly, the straw: McDonald’ssays its straw is slightly wider than a typical straw, which ensures that wonderful Coke taste will hit all your taste buds (and also ensures you can drink it down at light speed, for better or for worse).
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There you have it, Coca-Cola lovers. You were right all along!
Coke Zero’s Transformation
If you’re a die-hard Coke Zero drinker, you probably lamented the company’s 2017 announcement that it was getting rid of Coke Zero and replacing the sugar-free soda with a new recipe.
According to the Coca-Cola Company, the new sugar-free option — called Coke Zero Sugar in the United States and Coke No Sugar in other markets — contains the same ingredients as Coke Zero, but comes closer to replicating the taste of a classic, regular sugar-filled Coca-Cola.
The new recipe has actually been out for some time already: Coke Zero Sugar and Coke No Sugar began launching in European and Latin American markets last year.
Some Coke Zero loyalists, like Twitter user @RexHuppke, were not pleased to hear about the swap:
Well, at least I've still got my delicious Coke Zero. **looks at Twitter** pic.twitter.com/zEOQw97hml
— Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) July 26, 2017
Others, like Twitter user Los Angeles Esther, made the comparison to Coke II or “New Coke,” the reformulated version of classic Coca-Cola released in 1985 and quickly despised by loyal Coca-Cola fans. (The company released the original Coke formula as “Coca-Cola Classic” a few months after New Coke’s debut.)
I already lived through New Coke. This better not be New Coke Zero. pic.twitter.com/rKvkuA4ymy
— Los Angeles Esther RAINN: 800-656-4673 | (@angelenoesther) July 26, 2017
But, as it turns out, many people seem to like Coke Zero Sugar. Sales of the new sugar-free soda have increased, while classic Diet Coke sales continue to fall.
If you’re wondering about the difference between Coke Zero, Diet Coke and Coke Zero Sugar, here’s a breakdown of their ingredients. All three sugar-free Coke drinks use aspartame as a sweetener, but Coke Zero and Coke Zero Sugar also use acesulfame potassium as a sweetener.
Diet Coke
Ingredients: Carbonated water, caramel color, aspartame, phosphoric acid, potassium benzoate, natural flavors, citric acid, caffeine
Artificial sweetener: Aspartame
Coke Zero
Ingredients: Carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, potassium benzoate, natural flavors, potassium citrate, acesulfame potassium, caffeine
Artificial sweetener: Aspartame and acesulfame potassium
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Coke Zero Sugar
Ingredients: Carbonated water, caramel color, phosphoric acid, aspartame, potassium benzoate, natural flavors, potassium citrate, acesulfame potassium, caffeine
Artificial sweetener: Aspartame and acesulfame potassium
While the ingredients in Coke Zero and Coke Zero Sugar are identical, it’s unclear how the proportions in the actual recipes may have changed.
Which Coke product is your favorite?
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for other great tips and ideas to make the most out of life.
